Union coupling



Aug. 24, 1943. w. A. SHAW E'T AL UNION COUPLING Original Filed Dec. 18,1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. A. SHAW ET AL UNION COUPLING Original FiledDec. 18, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 and W Aug. 24, 1943.

m 7, 74 K EivAV/ Patented Aug. 24, 1943 UNION COUPLING William A. Shaw,Los Angeles, and Arthur 0. A.

' Hodge, Hermosa Beach, Calif., assignors to The National SupplyCompany,- Pittsburgh, Pa, acorporation-of Pennsylvania 4 Originalapplication December 18, 1939, Serial No. 309,710. Divided and thisapplication March 4, 1941, Serial No. 381,754

: Claims. (01. ass-12c) This invention relates to rotary swivels andmore particularly to an improvement in the hydraulic rotary swivel asused in connection with rotary well drilling apparatus.

An hydraulic rotary swivel as used in connection with rotary drillingapparatus is required to rotatably support the weight-of the rotatingdrill string and such swivel must also rovide means whereby the drillingfluid may be intr duced into the drill string. In the conventionalhydraulic rotary drilling construction there is emplayed a renewableelement commonly referred to in the art as a Washpipe. The washpipe isinserted in the fluid conducting system to transmit the drilling fluidfrom the stationary supply,

usually a gooseneck, to the rotating drill string or connector thereforcarried by the swivel.

The washpipe in such structure is packed commonly with relation to therotating element of the swivel and also with relation to the stationarygooseneck. V

The drilling fluid utilized is very abrasive'in character and is carriedunder high pressure 50 that frequent replacements of the packing and thewashpipes are necessary In the conventional construction of swivel, itis essential for each replacement in thewashpipe to dismantle the upperportion of the swivel. The gooseneck is removed and before reassemblycan be, established, it is commonly necessary to remove the hoseconnections in order to enableproper alignment to be attained. Thereplacement of a wash- 7 pipe in a conventional type swivel is thus adiffiv cult and time-consuming operation.

In drilling operations such washpipe replacemerit ties up the entiredrilling equipment and stops all operations. ,It is therefore theprincipal object of our invention to provide-a hydraulic rotary swivelin which there is a washpi e so constructed and mounted as to enable itsconnection and easy replacement without necessitating the dismantling ofthe swivel, gooseneck or hose connections thereof.

Another object of our invention is'to provide mean for detachablysecuring the Washpipe to one of the fluid conducting members of suchhydraulic rotary swivel.

Another object of this invention is to provide 7 a washpipe constructionhaving means for iacilitatingiits removal from itissecured, V v

Another object is toprovide such a Washpipe which is adapted to'besecured to the rotating the member to g which member to turnconcentrically therewith, and.

tion of a hydraulic rotary swivel incorporating the preferred embodimentof our invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmental view partly in vertical section illustratingthewashpip'e and packing in collapsed position preparatory to removalthereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial sectional elevation oi the washpi'peconstruction'and assembly embodying our invention and illustrating thesame on an enlarged scale: 7

Figure 4 is a sectional end view taken substantially'on the line 4 ofFigure 3.

Figure'fi is a sectional end view taken tially on the'line '5-'5 ofFigure 3.

Figure 6 shows a portion of Figure 3 on a large scale.

in the preferred embodiment of our invention as illustrated'in-theaccompanying drawings, the hydraulic rotary swivel includes a body lwhich rotatably supports a spindle or rotating member 2. As is customaryin such constructions, the rotating element 2' is suitably coupled'withthe drill string, not shown.

The spindle 2 is' rotatably supported in the body I upona thrust bearing3. The upper end of the spindle 2' projects through a cover 4'. The

substancover 4 forms apart of the supporting member .5. The supportingmember 5 is secured to the body I by means of studs 6 and cooperateswith the body Ito form an enclosure 1 for the bearing 3; Sealing means 8and 9 are customarily provided in such structures to prevent escape oflubricant as well as to exclude foreign matter from within the chamberor enclosure 1. A bail ill is ordinarily provided for suspending theAt'the upper end of the support 5 a gooseneck H is supported and held inposition by means of bolts I 2;. The gooseneck H provides a fluidpassageway l3,-the intake end of which is connected to the customaryhose (not shown) and thedischarge end is formed as a downwardlyprojecting tube It. The tubular portion i5is positioned in alignmentwith the fluid passage l 6 formed through the rotary spindle 2.

Interpose'd between the rotary spindle 2 and the tubular portion of thegooseneck H is a washpipe H which has a central fluid passage [3 adaptedto connect the fluid passages l3 and [6.

The washpipe II is of a length less than the distance between the upperend of the spindle 2 and the lower end of the tubular portion l5 of thegooseneck H, such distance being indicated by the letter D in Figure 2.It will be obvious that the washpipe I! may be fixed with respect toeither stationary gooseneck II or, as illustrated in the preferredconstruction, may be fixed to the spindle 2 so as to rotate therewith.

In the construction as illustrated the washpipe I! is removably securedto the upper end of the spindle 2 as follows: The upper end of thespindle 2 is threaded as indicated at 19 to receive a flange nut 23. Theflange 2| of the flange nut 23 is adapted to engage the annular rim 22of the washpipe l1 and to clamp the washpipe H against the upper end ofthe spindle 2. A rubber packing ring 23 is interposed between the end ofthe washpipe l1 and a shoulder 24 formed within the spindle 2 to providea leak-proof joint at this point. The annular rim 22 on the washpipe llis provided with an annular upwardly facing abutment t6 and an annulardownwardly facing shoulder 41 positioned in parallel horizontal planes.The flange 2i of the nut 25 engages the abutment 46 andthe shoulder Hrests on the abutment 46 and the shoulder 41 rests on the upper end ofthe rotary spindle 2. A cylindrical alignment surface 43 on the washpipeH which is formed co-aXially of the cylindrical wear surface 49 isadapted to be received within a counterbore 58 provided in the upper endof the rotary spindle 2 to maintain alignment of the washpipe I1 andspindle 2. 7

When the-washpipe I1 is thus secured in operative position upon thespindle 2, an annular clearance space 25 exists between the upper end ofthe rotating washpipe I! and the lower end of the stationary tube I5.Encircling this annular clearance space is a packing container orhousing 26. l

The packing container 26 has a central cylindrical bore 27. Thecontainer 26 is formed at its upper end with an annular flange 28' whichdefines the upper end of the bore 21. A detachable end flange 29definesthe lower end of the bore 21. Theend flanges 26 and 29 do notcontact the outer walls of the tube portion I5 or the washpipe I! but onthe COIltlEl-ILEI'G formed to provide substantial clearance therewith.

Packing means are provided for packing the packing carrier or housing 23to the tubular portion !5 of the gooseneck II and to the rotatingwashpipe H. There is thus provided a stationary packing, or a packingrequired'between two stationary elements and the packing requiredbetween the stationary carrier 26 and the rotating washpipe II. Thestationary packing between the carrier 26 and the tubular portion I5 iscomposed of the packing ring 30. ing means consists of a plurality ofspaced packing rings at interposed between packing carrier 26 and therotating washpipe IT. The packing may be of any suitable. ordesirableconstruction and is herein'illustrated. as being composed of a series ofpacking rings 3! held spaced by means of suitable spacing rings 32.

An annular spacer 33 is interposed between the packing ring 36 and thepacking assembly of the rotating packing connection. A grease fitting 34is provided for introducing lubricant under pressure into the packingrecess. The packing The rotating packcarrier or housing 26 is providedwith a pair of outwardly extending carrier arms 35 for its support. Eachof the carrier arms 35 is adapted to receive a rubber bushing Positionedwithin each rubber bushing 38 is a metallic sleeve 31. Bolts 38 arepassed through the metallic sleeves Si and through the supporting. means5. Nuts 39 are threaded to the bolts 38 to support the packing carrieror housing 26. The bolts 38 also pass through the flange of thegooseneck II to aid in maintaining the same upon the support 5.

The supporting means 5 above the cover portion 4 does not completelysurround the washpipe I? but leaves openings on both sides. The washpipeI! and packing assembly may therefore be removed through either of theselateral openings without disconnecting the gooseneck H or the'hoseconnection. When it is desired to eifect this operation, the nuts 39 areremoved from the bolts 38, permitting the packing container 26 to belowered on the washpipe l1 until the lower flange 29 strikes theshoulder 40. The nut 23 is then unthreaded from the rotary spindle 2. Abar (not shown) may be inserted into the opening 6! if required, inorder to unthread the nut 25. Should the washpipe l1 exhibit a tendencyto stick to the spindle 2, the lugs 42 are turned until a portion ofthem extend'under the abutment Q3 of the washpipe IT. Further unscrewingof the nut 20 will then cause the lugs l2v to engage the abutment 43 andto thereby jack the washpipe ll away from the spindle 2. The parts arethen moved to the position shown in Figure 2 and may be removedlaterally through one of the openings in the support 5. Bosses 44 and Q5are provided on the nut 29 and housing 25 to facilitate unscrewing ofthe nut 29.

When the washpipe I7 and packing container 26 have been removed from theswivel, the pivoted lugs 42 are turned until they clear the abutment 3.The washpipe H and nut 23 may then be separated. I

This invention-is a division of our co-pending application, Serial No.309,710, filed December is, 1939, now United States Patent No.2,237,715, issued April 8, 1941.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we donot wish tobe limited to the details herein set forth, butour inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims;

We claim:

1. In a connection joint for tubular elements, a washpipe having anexternal cylindrical wear surface prepared for rotary contact with apacking means, attaching means positioned at the lower end of thewashpipe for securing it in operative position with respect to the othertubular element, said attaching means including an up- Wardly facingradially extending abutment and a downwardly facingradially extendingshoulder axially spaced from the abutment, a cylindricalalignment'surface disposed coaxially of said cylindrical wear surfacesaid alignment surface being adapted to cooperate directly with saidother tubular element to maintain alignment, and a downwardly facingradially extending abutment for use in disconnecting the washpipe fromoperative position.

2. In a connection joint for tubular elements,

a washpipe portion having an external cylindrical wear surface,attaching means positioned at the lower end of the washpipe for securingit in operative osition with respect to the other tubular element, saidattaching means including an upwardly facing abutment and a downwardlyfacing shoulder positioned in parallel horizontal planes, a cylindricalalignment surface below the abutment disposed coaxially of saidcylindrical wear surface and adapted to cooperate directly with saidother tubular element to maintain alignment, and a downwardly facingradially extending abutment for use in disconnecting the washpipe fromoperative position.

3. In a connection joint for tubular elements, a washpipe provided withan external cylindrical wear surface, attaching means positioned at thelower end of the washpipe for securing it in operative position withrespect to the other tubular element, said attaching means including anupwardly facing abutment and a downwardly facing shoulder below saidabutment, said abutment and shoulder being positioned in parallelhorizontal planes, a cylindrical alignment surface disposed co-axiallyof said cylindrical wear surface and positioned below said abutment,said alignment surface being adapted to cooperate d rectly with saidother tubular element to maintain alignment, and a downwardly facingradially extending abutment for use in disconnecting the washpipe fromoperative position.

4. In a connection joint, the combination of a pair of tubular elements,means for insuring co-axial alignment of said tubular elements includinga cylindrical extension on the first element adapted to be receivedwithin a cylindrical recess on the second element, a distortable sealingring disposed between said tubular elements adjacent said cylindricalextension, said means also including a pair of annular radial shoulderson said elements adapted to meet in mutual engagement to limitdistortion of the sealing ring, a clamping nut threadedly connected tothe second tubular element and adapted to contact a portion of the firsttubular element to'maintain said radial shoulders in contact, adownwardly facing radially extending abutment on the first tubularelement above said radial shoulders, and

retractable means on said nut adapted to proiect under said abutment,whereby unthreading of said nut brings said retractable means intocontact with said abutment and thereby separates the tubular elements inan axial direction.

5. In a connection joint for tubular elements, the combination of acylindrical extension on one element adapted to be received within a oyelindrical recess on the other element, a distortable sealing ringdisposed between said tubular elements adjacent said cylindricalextension, a pair of annular radial shoulders on said elements adaptedto meet in mutual engagement to limit distortion of the sealing ring, aclamping nut threaded on one of the tubular elements and adapted tomaintain the radial shoulders in contact, a radially extending abutmenton the other tubular element, a plurality of movable parts on said nutadapted when in operative position to engage said abutment wherebyunthreading of the nut may be utilized to separate said tubularelements, said parts being movable relative to said nut to aninoperative position whereby initial assembly of the nut and tubularelements may be effected.

6. In a coupling device of the type described, a replaceable wearelement adapted to be secured to one end of a rotary spindle in co-axialalignment therewith, said element having an upwardly facing abutment anda downwardly facing shoulder positioned in parallel horizontal planes, aradial shoulder on said spindle, a nut threaded on said spindle andadapted to contact said abutment to maintain the shoulders inengagement, a downwardly facing radially extending abutment on the wearelement, and retractable means on the nut adapted to engage under thedownwardly facing abutment, whereby unthreading of the nut may serve todisconnect the wear element from operative position relative to therotary spindle.

7. In a connection joint, a tube having an external cylindrical wearsurface prepared for rotary contact with a packing means, attachingmeans near the lower end of the tube for securing it coaxialiy withrespect to an adjacent tubular element, said attaching means includingan upwardly facing radially extending abutment and a downwardly facingradially extending shoulder axiaily spaced below the abutment, acylindrical projection on the lower end of the tube, said shoulder beingpositioned at one end of the cylindrical projection,said cylindricalprojection being disposed coaxially'of said cylindrical wear surface andadapted to cooperate directly with the adjacent tubular element tomaintainalignment, and a downwardly facing radially extending abutmentfor use in disconnecting the tube from the tubular element.

WILLIAM A. SHAW. ARTHUR 0. A. HODGE.

